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MARCH 26, 2015
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Vol. 120, Issue 47
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Bowler throws perfect score Page 9
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
CAPO’S COOKING?
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
There was plenty of amore for spaghetti bolognese, insalata, and pane in the kitchen of the Greater Trail Community Centre Wednesday afternoon. The Italian fare was made from scratch by cookery students in the Food Service Worker Program, which runs Monday to Friday at Selkirk College. Through in-house catering and cafeteria services, the program teaches life and vocational skills in the hospitality industry through Adult Special Education. The program is currently accepting registrations, for further information contact the college at 368.5236. (Left to right) Matt Welychko, Jake Miller, Tim McTeer, Liam Donnelly and Will Thatcher. After five years in their classroom kitchen, McTeer and Thatcher will soon be graduating from the program.
NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR AWARESNESS MONTH
Local man raises awareness for kidney donation BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
What can you say to the guy who's saving your life? There are no words to describe what it means, says a Fruitvale man undergoing a kidney transplant in less than three weeks. Darren Sbitney is receiving the gift of life April 13 at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver. His nephew, 26-year-old Matthew Blayney, is donating a kidney to Sbitney, who was diagnosed with renal disease at the age of 15. After a lifetime of managing his condition through strict diet and medications, Sbitney went into kidney function failure in March 2013. Since then, he has required life-saving dialysis four times a week while awaiting a matching donor
and surgery date. The last few years of being unwell has been a challenge for the now 40 year old. Through it all he's been a devoted father to Halle,14, and six-year-old Jovi alongside life-long partner Derrilyn, all while maintaining his job at Teck (until the last two months) on top of 16-plus hours of treatment each week in the renal unit at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. “The last few years I've been feeling pretty lousy, with no energy and fatigue,” he explained, adding that he cannot wait to get back to work. “I don't really remember what it feels like to feel good. “But, I have had so many people supporting me through this - all my family,
and even my work has been helping me through.” Sbitney will remain in St. Paul's for up to one week post-surgery. However, he says the effects of a functioning kidney will be quickly apparent. “They tell me as soon as I wake up I will feel a difference,” he added. “That is the one thing they said will shock me, is how good I will feel right after.” As the days near for Sbitney's life-saving surgery he has two messages to share with the community. “I really want to say how important it is for people to sign up and be a donor,” he explained, mentioning the new registration system is not linked to the BC Driver Licence. “Becoming a donor changes lives, but you do
have to go out and actually register now.” Secondly, Sbitney shares the message that kidney disease is stealthy, so keeping health checks current can be key to diagnosing the disease in its early stages. “It's important to get checked out because this is a silent disease,” he said. “You may not know you have it until you get sick, and then it can be too late.” Sbitney's words parallel Trail council's proclamation for BC Transplant, which recognizes April as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness month in the city. The organization has a mandate to increase organ donation and reduce wait times for patients in need of a life-saving transplant. See FUNDRAISER, Page 3
Chambers meet to discuss merger BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Two could become one if the last remaining local chambers agree to a merge. The Trail and District Chamber of Commerce (TCOC) was recently contacted by the Rossland chamber, as well as community stakeholders and leaders to consider extending its footprint, explained Norm Casler, TCOC's executive director. “This is the first step as we are still in the exploratory stages of this idea,” he said. “We do think it is a great first step and would work very will in the spirit of regional collaboration.” He said if Rossland members like the plan and decide to join with the Trail organization, then TCOC will call its own meeting of members and stakeholders. “There are several constitutional items that will have to be taken care of with Industry Canada,” Casler said. “And we want to really make sure we do this right before we can go too far.” See MEETING Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
Supporting our community Red Cross Load Cupboard
Medical Equipment & Supplies Outside entrance in Waneta Plaza next to Scotia Bank 250.368.9129
Canada Post, Contract number 42068012
Free kids playroom and ball pit
www.wanetaplaza.com
5 min. east of Trail on Hwy 3B